Synthetic are much easier and more predictable. You may consider crox on a hanging linen strop or on balsa. Naturals are fickle til you figure them out. And each one is different. Or get a naniwa 12k. Thats 10-15 laps max and you are done. Depending on how good your 8k edge is though. You dont want to do more than that anyway as you may get microchips on a hard stone after to many laps.